How to Pronounce “charitable”

American (US)

/ˈt͡ʃæɹətəbəl/

British (UK)

/ˈt͡ʃæɹɪtəbəl/

Australian (AU)

/ˈt͡ʃæɹɪtəbəl/

adjective — Pertaining to charity.

The final e is silent. The transcription /ˈt͡ʃæɹətəbəl/ ends on a consonant sound, so the written e at the end of “charitable” is not pronounced.

Where the stress falls. “charitable” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /ˈt͡ʃæɹətəbəl/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the first one — so the first syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /ˈt͡ʃæɹətəbəl/ contains a schwa /ə/ — the short, neutral “uh” that English unstressed syllables collapse into. Saying /ə/ there, instead of the vowel the spelling suggests, is most of what makes the word sound native.

What does "charitable" mean?

charitable (adjective): Pertaining to charity.

How do you pronounce "charitable" in American vs British English?

American English: /ˈt͡ʃæɹətəbəl/. British English: /ˈt͡ʃæɹɪtəbəl/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "charitable"?

/ˈt͡ʃæɹətəbəl/ in American English, /ˈt͡ʃæɹɪtəbəl/ in British English, /ˈt͡ʃæɹɪtəbəl/ in Australian English.

Which syllable is stressed in "charitable"?

“charitable” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /ˈt͡ʃæɹətəbəl/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the first one — so the first syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.